Comps on the incline as holiday gets started

New York - Same-store sales were up 1.8% in the second week of October following a 1.6% gain the prior week, according to The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index.

Comps for the discount store channel rose 2.7%, while the department store segment recorded a 0.2% increase.

The Columbus Day holiday at the beginning of the week combined with cooler weather provided consumers with opportunity and motivation to shop and spend, said Redbook analyst Catlin Levis.

"Sales of Halloween merchandise started slightly later than last year, but they have picked up gradually as the holiday falls two days later than the previous year," she said. "We expect a significant portion of Halloween sales to come in the final days before the holiday into retail November."